Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-18
“In his letter to the Philippians Paul writes about his own identity culturally. He calls it “the flesh,” that is, all that we have as human persons that comes from our history and heritage. He says in Phil. 3:4, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them dung, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Each one of us needs to substitute whatever our own cultural history, cultural identity, cultural heritage, racial identity—whatever we like to put in there—in place of Paul’s words right there. We need to be prepared to say with the apostle Paul, “I am white, I am English, I am Reformed, I am Presbyterian”—or whatever it may be for you—and say, “I consider this manure.” Those are Paul’s words. It is not just rubbish, I consider this dung in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ.”
—Jerram Barrs
“It is important to see that this “peacemaking” work of the cross – reconciling Jews and Gentiles and creating one new humanity – is not just a by-product of the gospel, but it is at the heart of the gospel itself (Eph. 3:6). Paul includes it in the work of the cross. In other words, Paul is not merely saying that now that lots of individual sinners of different nations have been saved and are on their way to heaven they really ought to try to get along with each other in the meantime. He is saying that the creation of a new humanity is the good news that Christ came to accomplish.”
—Christopher Wright
“If we are going to live fully in the grace of God in Christ and participate in his cosmic work, then we must live out the story of reconciliation both as reconciled people and agents of reconciliation. Even as Christ, our peace, made peace through the cross, so we are to be peacemakers in every dimension of life: in our relationships and families, in our neighborhoods and workplaces, in our churches and denominations, and in our cities and nations.”
—Mark Roberts
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